Bill seeks to limit lobbying by former Alabama legislators

Proposal would place a two-year ban on lawmakers

Published: Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 1, 2013 at 11:33 p.m.

MONTGOMERY | Alabama’s top-ranking state senator is trying to make it harder for legislators to leave office and immediately become lobbyists.

Republican Del Marsh of Anniston said he plans to push for legislation early next year to prohibit legislators who resign while in office from lobbying both the House and Senate for the remainder of that term or two years, whichever is longer. The bill would also prohibit legislators from lobbying both the House and Senate for two years after completing their terms.

“When someone is elected to public office, they owe it to voters to finish their terms,” Marsh said. “Leaving office early to become a lobbyist ultimately casts a bad light on the majority of lawmakers who have a genuine interest in serving their constituents.”

Current law prohibits a former legislator from lobbying the chamber where he served for two years. Lobbying the other chamber is permitted. For instance, a person who leaves the House can immediately lobby the Senate but must wait two years to lobby the House. Both the current law and Marsh’s bill permit a former legislator to immediately lobby the executive branch.

Marsh’s bill comes after both budget chairmen in the House resigned after the 2013 legislative session ended.

Former Rep. Jim Barton of Mobile became a lobbyist with clients including the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which operates three casinos in Alabama.

Former Rep. Joy Love of Montgomery became finance chairman of the Business Education Alliance of Alabama, a new Montgomery-based group advocating school choice and the legalization of charter schools.

<p>MONTGOMERY | Alabama's top-ranking state senator is trying to make it harder for legislators to leave office and immediately become lobbyists. </p><p>Republican Del Marsh of Anniston said he plans to push for legislation early next year to prohibit legislators who resign while in office from lobbying both the House and Senate for the remainder of that term or two years, whichever is longer. The bill would also prohibit legislators from lobbying both the House and Senate for two years after completing their terms. </p><p>“When someone is elected to public office, they owe it to voters to finish their terms,” Marsh said. “Leaving office early to become a lobbyist ultimately casts a bad light on the majority of lawmakers who have a genuine interest in serving their constituents.” </p><p>Current law prohibits a former legislator from lobbying the chamber where he served for two years. Lobbying the other chamber is permitted. For instance, a person who leaves the House can immediately lobby the Senate but must wait two years to lobby the House. Both the current law and Marsh's bill permit a former legislator to immediately lobby the executive branch. </p><p>Marsh's bill comes after both budget chairmen in the House resigned after the 2013 legislative session ended. </p><p>Former Rep. Jim Barton of Mobile became a lobbyist with clients including the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which operates three casinos in Alabama. </p><p>Former Rep. Joy Love of Montgomery became finance chairman of the Business Education Alliance of Alabama, a new Montgomery-based group advocating school choice and the legalization of charter schools.</p>